Dear editor:

Throughout my life I have always had a tremendous respect for the front-line responders.

I guess that is because my sister was a registered nurse and the police in our town were my buddies growing up. I played ball for their team and often made minor repairs on their personal vehicles.

Nurses seem to be able to put a smile on the face of a child, an elderly person and someone who may have very little time left on this Earth.

Many of them show great empathy for their patients day in and day out.

Can you imagine how you would feel, after months and months and long hours every day with the looming threat of contracting COVID (or perhaps passing it on to a loved one) and then being let down by our government?

Nurses have had insufficient PPE, they were short-staffed and their hours on the job were insane. The hours they put in were dangerous as they tried to keep their patients alive while losing some of their colleagues to COVID.

Then came the news that for their dedication and service they were to be given a salary increase.

An increase of 1 per cent. Yes, 1 per cent.

How would you feel if that was the reward you received for your dedication and commitment to patients you never knew and may not ever know?

How many professionals can put this sort of service record on their resumes?

I feel a debt of gratitude to all of these front-line workers.

After many years in the nursing profession my own sister now has terminal cancer and has to rely on the help and commitment of others to keep her comfortable in her final days.

Let’s not forget our front-line workers. We need them more than they will ever know. Let’s show them our gratitude in whatever way possible. 

Janet and Tom Thornton

NOTL